Heathrow handles over quarter of UK trade by value in 2025
Image courtesy Heathrow
In total, more than 1.59 million tonnes of cargo passed through Heathrow across these trade flows - roughly the same weight as around 265,000 elephants or more than 130,000 London double-decker buses.
The data highlights Heathrow’s important role in the UK economy. Heathrow’s network allows the rapid movement of high-value, time-sensitive goods into the UK, with around £166 billion of goods arriving at the airport in 2025.
Every day, the cargo passing through Heathrow becomes part of everyday life across the UK. Mangoes harvested in India can arrive fresh on UK supermarket shelves, flown in via Heathrow. Temperature-sensitive medicines and vaccines arrive from pharmaceutical hubs in Europe and North America and are transported to hospitals and pharmacies across the country.
High-value electronics such as smartphones and semiconductors travel in the belly hold of passenger aircraft from Asia before reaching UK retailers and manufacturers, while luxury fashion flown in from cities like Milan and Paris are delivered to flagship stores on Bond Street within hours of arrival.
Heathrow’s connectivity to hundreds of destinations across dozens of countries supports British businesses to export their goods across the world. Around £127 billion worth of goods were exported from the airport in 2025. This includes goods that require the speed of air travel to stay fresh for customers.
As the UK’s only hub airport, Heathrow has a unique role in supporting global trade. More than 90% of the airport’s trade by value is with non-EU countries, highlighting its importance in linking British businesses with key international markets. Government data also shows Heathrow dominates the UK’s air cargo sector, with around 75% of all UK air cargo by value moving through the airport.
James Golding, Head of Cargo and Airline Partnerships at Heathrow, said: “This data shows how vital the airport is to exporters, manufacturers and supply chains across the country. From life-saving medicines coming into the country to exporting fresh British produce such as popcorn and biscuits, Heathrow, working in partnership with our cargo community, enables the swift movement of goods around the world. Heathrow expansion will ensure the UK has the capacity it needs to continue to grow trade links, support jobs and supply chains, and remain competitive in the global economy.”
